Good Council Practice

Welsh Local Government Decarbonisation Planning Review Interventions - Buildings (Wrexham CBC)

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 15:39:00 GMT

The Welsh Local Government Decarbonisation Planning Review on the current state of Decarbonisation Planning in Welsh Local Government analysed interventions listed in councils’ Decarbonisation plans were according to four priority areas including Buildings, Mobility and Transport, Procurement, and Land Use. These areas reflect the priority areas identified by Welsh Government Net Zero Carbon 2030 for public sector.

Wrexham’s Community Health and Wellbeing facility is due to open in 2022. This is a 1970s Office Block utilising a ‘fabric first’ approach to thermal efficiency and establishing photovoltaic panels on the roof.

Regional Community Cohesion Service for North East Wales (Wrexham CBC, Denbighshire CC and Flintshire CC)

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 12:58:00 GMT

Wrexham, Denbighshire and Flintshire councils have worked in partnership to deliver a Regional Community Cohesion Service (RCC) for North East Wales. The service supports around 40 community groups and third sector organisations that in turn actively support minority communities.

Since March 2020, RCC has continued to support communities although as with most services, the focus has adapted to address the challenges posed by COVID19. In total around £20,000 has been awarded in grants to support specific schemes such as:

provision of food parcels, personal protective equipment and online support;
translated information packs;
summer holiday socially distanced activities; 
support in relation to domestic violence and substance misuse during Covid-19;
post Covid-19 volunteering and community engagement opportunities; and
supporting the local Traveller Community during Covid-19 with remote education support.

The RCC is not sitting back on its laurels. It has a seat on the Wales Council for Voluntary Action Emergency Covid-19 funds panel and is working with AVOW and key partners to identify and secure larger and more sustainable funds to support minority communities and individuals with projected characteristics.

Welfare checks and support for council tenants (Wrexham CBC)

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 13:56:00 GMT

Since 23 March 2020, 21,595 welfare calls have been made by Wrexham County Borough Council Housing Officers to their council tenants.

All Council tenants have been contacted at least once and officers are continuing with a second round of welfare calls, although this is now being impacted by the re-commencement of other housing functions and many tenants returning to work. Tenants who couldn’t be reached by telephone have received a letter asking them to make contact with their Housing Office.

During the pandemic the support offered by the council’s Housing Officers has included financial advice and assistance, assistance with submitting Universal Credit claims and Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP), arranging affordable rent payment plans with tenants who were furloughed, and referrals to the Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham for food parcels, prescription delivery and shopping.

Officers also promoted services that may be beneficial for isolating tenants and made referrals to agencies offering support and advice on loneliness, domestic violence, mental health, and anti-social behaviour. Officers were also advising on the free school meals provision and raising awareness of scams to help keep vulnerable tenants safe. For some tenants, the calls just meant a friendly person for them to speak to as they were feeling isolated. The calls were very well received and appreciated by tenants.